Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: The Big Bang Theory: Season 1

 

The 17-episode first season of The Big Bang Theory aired during the 2007/2008 TV season. It was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and starred Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar. The show's premise is that two physicists from CalTech, Sheldon (played by Parsons) and Leonard (played by Galecki), meet their new neighbor, Penny (played by Cuoco), who Leonard instantly falls for. The circle of friends also includes two other CalTech scientists, an Engineer named Howard (played by Helberg) and an Astrophysicist named Raj (played by Nayyar). All the nerdy friends are socially awkward, with Sheldon being an arrogant know-it-all, who is also on the autism spectrum, and Leonard is insecure about nearly everything. Howard tries way too hard to hit on every woman he meets, and Raj cannot talk to women unless he is drunk. Penny is a party girl working as a waitress while trying to break into acting. The supporting cast in the first season includes Laurie Metcalf, who plays Sheldon's Mother, Sara Gilbert, who plays another physicist, and Carol Ann Susi, who plays the voice of Howard's mother.

The blu-ray set is a two-disc set. The episodes can be played with English captions and in a play-all mode (although the play-all mode does not allow you to pick up where you leave off). The two bonus features are on the second disc, a behind-the-scenes featurette that runs just under twenty minutes and a gag reel. The show is a pretty typical sitcom that primarily relies on procedural storylines that get resolved by the end of the episodes, mixed with longer character arcs. It is a mostly wholesome sitcom, but it definitely includes some sex jokes, and Cuoco is in skimpy outfits from time to time. It is filmed partly in front of a studio audience and uses a laugh track for the parts not filmed in front of an audience. 

The show is well-written, with many nerdy pop-culture references, and very well-acted. It also incorporates a lot of real-world science into the storylines. While the character of Sheldon became immensely popular (Parsons does a great job with the character and has great comedic timing), the entire cast plays their characters well, and the actors seem to have great chemistry. The show would become one of the most popular comedies in TV history (and was certainly the most popular sitcom of its era). The first season is mostly focused on character development and establishing the relationships between the various characters. Ultimately, it is a strong season that sets up the show well. Even though the first season is (as of this writing) about 17 years old, it holds up well (with many laugh-out-loud moments) and is worth watching.       

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls: The Complete Series

 

2 Broke Girls was a six-season CBS series that ran from 2011 to 2017. It starred Beth Behrs as Caroline, a heiress who lost all her money when her father was arrested for running a Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi scheme. She ends up working at a diner in Brooklyn and befriending another waitress named Max, played by Kat Dennings. The show basically details their attempts to open their own cupcake shop and get out of working in the diner. The rest of the main cast includes Jonathan Kite, who plays a cook at the diner named Oleg; Matthew Moy as Han, the owner of the diner; Garrett Morris, who plays Earl, the cashier at the diner; and Jennifer Coolidge, as Sophie, Max and Caroline's upstairs neighbor. The supporting and guest cast members included Nick Zano, Eric Andre, Ryan Hansen, Jesse Metcalfe, Lindsay Lohan, Martha Stewart, George Hamilton, John Michael Higgins, and Caroline Rhea.

I will not go into too much detail so I do not spoil the show for those who have not seen it, but it is a fairly standard sitcom that mostly has story-of-the-week episodes, with some longer story arcs that play out throughout the show's run. The humor is very raunchy. I am still amazed that they got away with some of the jokes they did. They also show off Behrs in skimpy outfits and Denning's cleavage in pretty much every episode. So, if sex and drug jokes offend you, definitely stay away from this show. 

The complete series set is just the individual season sets packaged into one box. Similar to what was released for shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and the like. Hence, all the DVD extras are identical to those in the individual season releases. There are no extras that are exclusive to this set. Overall, the show was funny (if you like the kind of humor), well-written, and well-acted. The only thing I did not like about the series was the finale. I think it mostly felt like just another episode (with one exception) and did not give all the characters a great sendoff as series finales should. Overall, however, it is a very enjoyable show and worth checking out if you are a fine of sitcoms.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 6

 

The 22-episode sixth season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2016/2017 TV season. It would be the show's final season. Overall, it was on par with the prior seasons, at least seasons 4-5, which I do not think were as good as seasons 1-3. My main issue with the season is the series finale. It did not feel like a finale episode, giving all the characters a good sendoff. One of the characters gets an ending befitting of a series finale, but for the most part, it feels like another episode of the show. I will not say too much about the season so as not to spoil it for the few who may not have seen it by now. The big serial storylines were Max and Caroline opening the Dessert Bar, relationship drama (again) for both Max and Caroline (including a new love for Caroline in the form of Christopher Gorham, who is probably best known from the show Covert Affairs), and Sophie and Oleg's baby.

The DVD set is a two-disc set. The extras are bare bones, consisting of deleted scenes on each of the two discs and a gag reel on disc 2. There are no making-of or behind-the-scenes features, no retrospective on the series, or the like. Definitely not much, especially given that it was the final season. Overall, if you like the prior seasons, you will probably like this one. Even though I was not thrilled by the final episode, the season overall was still funny and enjoyable.

DVD/TV Series Review: 3 Broke Girls Season 5

 

The 22-episode fifth season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2015/2016 TV season. It was much the same as the prior seasons in that it mainly used a story-of-the-week format that would put the girls into some situation that they had to get out of or resolve by the end of the show, mixed with a couple of larger story arcs that would play out throughout the season. An example of the latter is Sophie and Oleg's attempt to have a baby.

The show was definitely one of those sitcoms that found what worked for it and did not deviate much, if at all, from that format. The jokes this season were just as dirty (if not more so at times) than they were in prior seasons. I do not get offended by sex/drug comedy, but I have been amazed at what they were able to get past the censors for a show that aired in primetime on network television. If you do not like that kind of humor, though, this show is definitely not for you.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras are similar to what was included in the previous couple of seasons' DVD releases. The extras include deleted scenes (about 10 minutes worth) and a short (five-minute) gag reel. All the extras are included on the final disc. Overall, I would say that if you are a fan of the prior seasons, then you will probably like this one. If, however, you did not like the earlier seasons, then nothing about this one will likely convert you.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 4

 

The 22-episode fourth season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2014/2015 TV season. It does a good job balancing the overall storyline of Max and Caroline trying to "make it" with their cupcake business with the procedural stories of the week to keep the series from getting too stale. The main, non-cupcake business" theme of the season is Oleg and Sophie's relationship. That, and yet another "side business" for the girls, this time working at an upscale dessert shop in Manhattan (which sees the return of Big John from the pastry school) and includes Sandra Bernhardt as a multi-episode guest star. There is also a hilarious "relationship" for Max toward the end of the season and an episode in which several Victoria's Secret supermodels rent out Max and Caroline's apartment through Airbnb.

The series' humor is very much like the first three seasons, very adult (it is still amazing that they got away with some of the jokes they did) with a mix of physical comedy from almost every cast member at one point or another. Unlike past seasons, there are no Han or Earl-centric episodes, but they each have good moments throughout the season.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. For those who get the DVD set, the only extras are seven minutes of deleted scenes, and a five-minute gag reel, both included on the final disc. There are no behind-the-scenes material, cast interviews, or commentary tracks. Overall, if you are a fan of adult humor (there are tons of sex and drug references) or at least not bothered by that type of humor, and have liked the prior seasons, chances are you will like this one. Even though it is a raunchier comedy than many sitcoms on network TV, the characters are still likable and care about each other. The actors seemingly have great chemistry and enjoy being around each other (or fake it well). If you liked the prior seasons, you will probably like this one. On the other hand, if you are not a fan of the prior seasons, nothing about this one will likely convert you.

DVD/Movie Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 3

 

The 24-episode third season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2013/2014 TV season. It continues to mix a story-of-the-week format with longer story arcs. This season, Max and Caroline open their new cupcake shop in the back of the diner (where they work before and after their diner shifts), and Max enrolls in pastry school. It also introduces new love interests for both Max and Caroline in the form of Eric Andre, who plays Deke, a student at the pastry school with Max, and Gilles Marini, who plays the Chef and instructor at the pastry school. This season also included guest stars such as Mary Lynn Rajskub, Lindsay Lohan, and Federico Dordei, who plays the hilarious day waiter at the diner who lusts after Oleg.

The season is a little lighter on character development this season, although we do get to meet Han's mother in a hilarious episode. The season focuses mainly on the relationship between Max and Caroline and their various trials and obstacles as they try to make the cupcake business successful. The other characters are mostly there for comic relief.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras are all included on the final disc and are comprised of 18 minutes of deleted/extended/alternate scenes and a seven-minute gag reel. There are no making-of features, cast interviews, or the like as there were in the first two seasons. Overall, the show follows pretty much the same format as the first two seasons and definitely pushes boundaries with the sexual humor. It is not a show that will appeal to everyone, but if you are a fan of the first two seasons, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 2

 

The 24-episode second season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2012/2-13 TV season. The show continues to develop not only the main characters of Max and Caroline (played by Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs) but also gives expanded storylines and character development for the supporting characters Earl, Oleg, Han, and Sophie (Garrett Morris, Jonathan Kite, Matthew Moy, and Jennifer Coolidge). It continues to be a story-of-the-week sitcom, with the girls navigating some kind of obstacle, a funny situation, a fortuitous event, or the like blended with the larger story of working toward their dream cupcake business, which encounters a lot of twists and turns.

The comedy in the show is much like it was in season one, with many sex jokes and a lot of sarcastic humor. They also amped up the physical comedy this season, mostly involving the character of Caroline, after discovering that Beth Behrs is not only a great physical comedian but is not afraid of looking silly to get a great laugh. The show also introduces a love interest for Caroline, in the form of a candy store owner named Andy (played by Ryan Hansen). There are a ton of great moments in the season including finally meeting Caroline's father (Steven Webber) whom Max totally has a crush on, Earl's estranged son, a horrible stand-up comic (played by Cedric The Entertainer), Oleg's apartment, and two Amish boys on Rumspringa.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras include a panel discussion with the cast and showrunner from one of the film fests, deleted scenes, a featurette on the character of Sophie, a gag reel, and a making-of feature on the second season. All in all, probably around an hour's worth of extras, give-or-take.

Overall, if you liked season one, you will probably like or love season two. On the other hand, if you did not like the first season, there is probably nothing about this season that will appeal to you. If you are looking for a good sitcom, assuming you enjoy the kind of humor in it, it is definitely worth watching.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 1

 

2 Broke Girls is a very funny sitcom starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs that aired for six seasons from 2012 to 2017. The 24-episode first season aired during the 2012/2013 TV season. The premise of the series is that a former New York City socialite named Caroline Channing (played by Beth Behrs) ends up without any money after her father is busted running a Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi scheme, and the family's money is frozen by the government. She ends up working as a waitress at a diner in Brooklyn, where a waitress named Max Black (played by Kat Dennings) also sells her homemade cupcakes on the side.. Max takes pity on Caroline and lets Caroline move into her apartment, and Caroline hatches a plan to make enough money to start a cupcake business. 

While the show is very funny, it is definitely an adult comedy that can get quite raunchy. They really pushed the envelope with sexual innuendo and jokes about drug use, and it is, quite frankly, amazing what they were able to get away with on network TV. Honestly, had the show started a few years later as the "me too" movement got started, some of the jokes, especially those involving Oleg, the cook in the diner (played hilariously by Jonathan Kite), probably never would have been cleared. The other series regulars in season one included original SNL cast member Garrett Morris as Earl, the cashier at the diner, Matthew Moy as Han, the vertically challenged owner of the diner, and later in the season, Jennifer Coolidge (best known for playing Stifler's mom in American Pie, and her role in Legally Blonde) as Sophie, the upstairs neighbor of Max and Caroline.

The first season's main theme is the various ways that Max and Caroline attempt to earn money for the cupcake business. At the end of each episode, there is a running balance that goes up or down as they earn or spend the cupcake money throughout the episode. The acting in the show is excellent. Both Dennings and Behrs, as co-leads, play their roles as sarcastic, jaded, trust very few and see where life takes you kind of person, and stuck-up but recently humbled ex-socialite very well. The show is no-holds-barred on the jokes and will make fun of anything.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras include a short making-of/behind-the-scenes featurette and an alternate jokes reel. What was included is good but not extensive. Overall, it is a comedy that will not appeal to everyone, so know that going in, if you get offended by raunchier jokes, you definitely will want to skip this. Also, it is recorded in front of an audience and buffered by a laugh track for the on-location scenes. If you hate those kinds of sitcoms, then you will definitely want to skip this, too. But, if those things do not bother you, it is definitely worth checking out.